Os defeitos superficiais são os maiores problemas de qualidade em barras laminadas a quente, representando inúmeros transtornos durante o processo produtivo, pois dependendo de suas características geram elevada rejeição durante o processo de inspeção. Elevada rejeição significa retrabalho e possível sucateamento. Dentre as diversas causas para a ocorrência de defeitos superficiais, estão os defeitos nos tarugos, a temperatura de laminação, conseqüência da temperatura de reaquecimento e ritmo de laminação e a remoção de carepa após o reaquecimento. Definiu-se o aço SAE 1043 para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho devido aos níveis de rejeição superficial e elevados volumes de produção, o que gera grande impacto na produção das linhas de inspeção. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos testes realizados demonstram que a temperatura de laminação até determinado limite não tem influência na rejeição superficial, mas que abaixo deste gera elevado índice de rejeição. O uso do descarepador tem grande influencia nos níveis de defeitos superficiais, e o controle de seus parâmetros principais é fundamental. O condicionamento superficial dos tarugos é o parâmetro que mais apresentou influência positiva sobre a rejeição superficial, demonstrando que defeitos pré-existentes na matéria-prima têm grande impacto no produto final da laminação. / Surface defects are major quality problems in hot rolled bars, representing numerous disturbances during the production process, as depending on their characteristics generate high rejection during the inspection process. High rejection means rework and scrap. Among the various causes for the occurrence of surface defects are defects in the billets, rolling temperature, a consequence of the reheating temperature and rate of roll and removal of scale after reheating. The steel SAE 1043 used in this work was selected due to its level of surface defects and high production volumes, which generates large impact on production inspection process. The results show that the rolling temperature of up to a certain limit does not influence the surface defects, but below this generates a high rate of rejection. The use of descaling has a large influence on the levels of surface defects, and control of its main parameters is essential. The surface conditioning of billets is the parameter that showed a positive influence on the reduction of surface defects, demonstrating that pre-existing defects in materials has large impact on the final rolled product.

Extrusion is a continuous solid state deformation process which is widely used in the aluminium industry. The demand for aluminium extrudates are growing and extruders are pressurized to extrude products as fast as possible without lowering the quality of the product. Important extrusion parameters and conditions are exit temperature, extrusion speed and alloy composition. It is widely accepted in extrusion industry that extrusion surface defects increase when the extrusion speed and exit temperature are increased for a constant alloy. One of the major surface defects is the so-called die pick-up and it is presently uncertain if increase with extrusion speed (from a low 25m/min) would result in an increase of the number of die pick-up defect.Die pick-up appears like a scratch mark or comet on the surface of the extrudate which damages the appearance. Previous research suggests that second phase particles, eutectic reactions (555°C - 600°C), extrusion process conditions and die conditions may influence the cause of die pick-up. However the influencing factors for die pick-up are not well established.The research started by determining the lowest melting temperature for AA6060 alloy as this temperature limit the highest temperature above which incipient melting starts. This temperature corresponds to the eutectic melting temperature for AA6060 alloy. Eutectic melting was only detected above 610°C and therefore the exit temperature could be increased to a maximum of 610°C. For an AA6xxx alloy system the lowest melting temperature is 555°C if Mg2Si and excess silicon were present. However as Mg2Si may have fully dissolved into the solid solution, no reaction can take place.A preliminary investigation was conducted to study the characteristics of the newly installed extrusion control and monitoring system. Through this study the relationship between the set extrusion speed and the actual extrusion speed was established. It was found that the actual extrusion speed was lower than the set extrusion speed and was further complicated by the capacity limit of the extrusion pressure. Exit temperature measurements were accurate, however it was measured about 1m away from the die exit. Experiments were carried out to estimate the exit temperature drop and hence the exit temperature measurements were corrected accordingly.Thus, the aim of the present research was to establish the relationship between die pick-up and extrusion conditions (extrusion speed, exit temperature and die condition) and to propose the likely formation mechanism for die pick-up.In this research AA6060 alloy was used and was extruded at 25m/min, 30m/min, 35m/min, 40m/min and 45m/min. The exit temperature was found to increases from 542°C to 567°C. Three types of die pick-up was identified which were named as normal pick-up, die line pick-up and lump pick-up. Normal pick-up occurred regardless of the extrusion speed and exit temperature; however the amount of normal pick-up did not increase when the extrusion speed was increased. Die line pick-up occurred when the extrusion speed was 45m/min and appeared only on the die lines. Lump pick-up is not significant since it was very rare.AA6060 (0.4%Mg and 0.5%Si) alloy has about 0.27% excess silicon and therefore at 555°C, Mg2Si particles react with aluminium and excess silicon to form liquid. However normal pick-up and die line pick-up still occurred at temperatures lower and higher than 555°C and therefore it confirms that eutectic reactions do not influence formation of pick-up. Therefore die pick-up is most likely to be caused due to a mechanical process rather than a metallurgical process.

Extrusion is a continuous solid state deformation process which is widely used in the aluminium industry. The demand for aluminium extrudates are growing and extruders are pressurized to extrude products as fast as possible without lowering the quality of the product. Important extrusion parameters and conditions are exit temperature, extrusion speed and alloy composition. It is widely accepted in extrusion industry that extrusion surface defects increase when the extrusion speed and exit temperature are increased for a constant alloy. One of the major surface defects is the so-called die pick-up and it is presently uncertain if increase with extrusion speed (from a low 25m/min) would result in an increase of the number of die pick-up defect.Die pick-up appears like a scratch mark or comet on the surface of the extrudate which damages the appearance. Previous research suggests that second phase particles, eutectic reactions (555°C - 600°C), extrusion process conditions and die conditions may influence the cause of die pick-up. However the influencing factors for die pick-up are not well established.The research started by determining the lowest melting temperature for AA6060 alloy as this temperature limit the highest temperature above which incipient melting starts. This temperature corresponds to the eutectic melting temperature for AA6060 alloy. Eutectic melting was only detected above 610°C and therefore the exit temperature could be increased to a maximum of 610°C. For an AA6xxx alloy system the lowest melting temperature is 555°C if Mg2Si and excess silicon were present. However as Mg2Si may have fully dissolved into the solid solution, no reaction can take place.A preliminary investigation was conducted to study the characteristics of the newly installed extrusion control and monitoring system. Through this study the relationship between the set extrusion speed and the actual extrusion speed was established. It was found that the actual extrusion speed was lower than the set extrusion speed and was further complicated by the capacity limit of the extrusion pressure. Exit temperature measurements were accurate, however it was measured about 1m away from the die exit. Experiments were carried out to estimate the exit temperature drop and hence the exit temperature measurements were corrected accordingly.Thus, the aim of the present research was to establish the relationship between die pick-up and extrusion conditions (extrusion speed, exit temperature and die condition) and to propose the likely formation mechanism for die pick-up.In this research AA6060 alloy was used and was extruded at 25m/min, 30m/min, 35m/min, 40m/min and 45m/min. The exit temperature was found to increases from 542°C to 567°C. Three types of die pick-up was identified which were named as normal pick-up, die line pick-up and lump pick-up. Normal pick-up occurred regardless of the extrusion speed and exit temperature; however the amount of normal pick-up did not increase when the extrusion speed was increased. Die line pick-up occurred when the extrusion speed was 45m/min and appeared only on the die lines. Lump pick-up is not significant since it was very rare.AA6060 (0.4%Mg and 0.5%Si) alloy has about 0.27% excess silicon and therefore at 555°C, Mg2Si particles react with aluminium and excess silicon to form liquid. However normal pick-up and die line pick-up still occurred at temperatures lower and higher than 555°C and therefore it confirms that eutectic reactions do not influence formation of pick-up. Therefore die pick-up is most likely to be caused due to a mechanical process rather than a metallurgical process.

Os defeitos superficiais são os maiores problemas de qualidade em barras laminadas a quente, representando inúmeros transtornos durante o processo produtivo, pois dependendo de suas características geram elevada rejeição durante o processo de inspeção. Elevada rejeição significa retrabalho e possível sucateamento. Dentre as diversas causas para a ocorrência de defeitos superficiais, estão os defeitos nos tarugos, a temperatura de laminação, conseqüência da temperatura de reaquecimento e ritmo de laminação e a remoção de carepa após o reaquecimento. Definiu-se o aço SAE 1043 para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho devido aos níveis de rejeição superficial e elevados volumes de produção, o que gera grande impacto na produção das linhas de inspeção. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos testes realizados demonstram que a temperatura de laminação até determinado limite não tem influência na rejeição superficial, mas que abaixo deste gera elevado índice de rejeição. O uso do descarepador tem grande influencia nos níveis de defeitos superficiais, e o controle de seus parâmetros principais é fundamental. O condicionamento superficial dos tarugos é o parâmetro que mais apresentou influência positiva sobre a rejeição superficial, demonstrando que defeitos pré-existentes na matéria-prima têm grande impacto no produto final da laminação. / Surface defects are major quality problems in hot rolled bars, representing numerous disturbances during the production process, as depending on their characteristics generate high rejection during the inspection process. High rejection means rework and scrap. Among the various causes for the occurrence of surface defects are defects in the billets, rolling temperature, a consequence of the reheating temperature and rate of roll and removal of scale after reheating. The steel SAE 1043 used in this work was selected due to its level of surface defects and high production volumes, which generates large impact on production inspection process. The results show that the rolling temperature of up to a certain limit does not influence the surface defects, but below this generates a high rate of rejection. The use of descaling has a large influence on the levels of surface defects, and control of its main parameters is essential. The surface conditioning of billets is the parameter that showed a positive influence on the reduction of surface defects, demonstrating that pre-existing defects in materials has large impact on the final rolled product.

Os defeitos superficiais são os maiores problemas de qualidade em barras laminadas a quente, representando inúmeros transtornos durante o processo produtivo, pois dependendo de suas características geram elevada rejeição durante o processo de inspeção. Elevada rejeição significa retrabalho e possível sucateamento. Dentre as diversas causas para a ocorrência de defeitos superficiais, estão os defeitos nos tarugos, a temperatura de laminação, conseqüência da temperatura de reaquecimento e ritmo de laminação e a remoção de carepa após o reaquecimento. Definiu-se o aço SAE 1043 para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho devido aos níveis de rejeição superficial e elevados volumes de produção, o que gera grande impacto na produção das linhas de inspeção. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos testes realizados demonstram que a temperatura de laminação até determinado limite não tem influência na rejeição superficial, mas que abaixo deste gera elevado índice de rejeição. O uso do descarepador tem grande influencia nos níveis de defeitos superficiais, e o controle de seus parâmetros principais é fundamental. O condicionamento superficial dos tarugos é o parâmetro que mais apresentou influência positiva sobre a rejeição superficial, demonstrando que defeitos pré-existentes na matéria-prima têm grande impacto no produto final da laminação. / Surface defects are major quality problems in hot rolled bars, representing numerous disturbances during the production process, as depending on their characteristics generate high rejection during the inspection process. High rejection means rework and scrap. Among the various causes for the occurrence of surface defects are defects in the billets, rolling temperature, a consequence of the reheating temperature and rate of roll and removal of scale after reheating. The steel SAE 1043 used in this work was selected due to its level of surface defects and high production volumes, which generates large impact on production inspection process. The results show that the rolling temperature of up to a certain limit does not influence the surface defects, but below this generates a high rate of rejection. The use of descaling has a large influence on the levels of surface defects, and control of its main parameters is essential. The surface conditioning of billets is the parameter that showed a positive influence on the reduction of surface defects, demonstrating that pre-existing defects in materials has large impact on the final rolled product.

The direct chill (DC) casting technique to produce billets for extrusion and ingots for rollingwas developed in the 1930s. The principle, which is still valid, is a two-stage cooling with a primary cooling at a mould surface followed by water spraying directly on the surface. Improvements of this technique have mainly focused on changes to the primary cooling, where a water-cooled metal mould has been replaced by different techniques to minimize cooling at this stage. The drive for development comes from the extrusion industry, which can increase the productivity and quality of extruded profiles by improving the billet surface appearance and structure. Hot top casting supported by airflow against the casting surface during the primary cooling is currently the standard procedure to achieve acceptable billet surfaces. The goal is to minimize the depth of the surface segregation zone, which is the governing factor for the appearance of different phases in the surface region. Billet surface quality is evaluated by quantifying surface appearance, segregation zone thickness, and  occurrence of large Mg2Si and β-particles near the surface. The β-Al5FeSi intermetallic phase and coarse Mg2Si particles have negative effects on extrudability and workability of 6xxx Al alloys billets. To achieve extruded products with a high surface quality the as-cast billets are  heat-treated before extrusion. During heat treatment the undesired intermetallic particles, i.e., β-AlFeSi platelets are transformed to rounded α-Al(FeMn)Si intermetallic phases. In this  research the formation of the surface segregation for smooth defect-free surfaces in both as-cast and homogenized billets was studied. In addition, the surfaces with defects such as wavy, spot and vertical drag defects were investigated and possible mechanisms for initiation of those defects were explained. Moreover, for a better understanding of the homogenization process in-situ studies of the heat treatment of 6082, 6005, 6060 and 6063 Al alloys were carried out by using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Based on the observations, an explanation of the probable mechanisms taking place during transformation from β-to α-phase was presented. / <p>Vid tidpunkten för disputationen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete 5 manuskript, delarbete 6 inskickat och delarbete 7 inskickat.</p><p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished: paper 5 manuscript, paper 6 submitted, paper 7 submitted.</p>

This thesis documents a PhD research program undertaken at Swinburne University of Technology between the years 2000 and 2004. The research was funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Cast Metals Manufacturing and was undertaken in collaboration with Nissan Casting Plant Australia Pty Ltd and the Ford Motor Company Australia Limited. This thesis reports on the investigation of the possibility of using an ultrasonic sensing-based, non-destructive testing system to detect gas porosity defects in aluminium die casting parts with rough surfaces. The initial intention was to develop a procedure to obtain ultrasonic signals with the maximum possible amplitude from defects within the rough surface areas of the castings. A further intention was to identify defects with the application of a suitable signal processing technique to the raw ultrasonic signal. The literature review has indicated that ultrasonic techniques have the potential to be used to detect subsurface defects in castings. The possibility of classifying very weak ultrasonic signals obtained from rough surface sections of castings through a neural network approach was also mentioned in the literature. An extensive search of the literature has indicated that ultrasonic sensing techniques have not been successfully used to detect sub-surface defects in aluminium die castings with rough surfaces. Ultrasonic inspection of castings is difficult due to the influence of microstructural variations, surface roughness and the complex shape of castings. The design of the experimental set-up used is also critical in developing a proper inspection procedure. The experimental set-up of an A-scan ultrasonic inspection rig used in the research is described in this thesis. Calibration of the apparatus used in the inspection rig was carried out to ensure the reliability and repeatability of the results. This thesis describes the procedure used to determine a suitable frequency range for the inspection of CA313 aluminium alloy castings and detecting porosity defects while accommodating material variations within the part. The results obtained from ultrasonic immersion testing indicated that focused probes operating at frequencies between 5 MHz and 10 MHz are best suited for the inspection of castings with surface roughness Ra values varying between 50 [micro milli] and 100 [micro milli]. For the purpose of validating the proposed inspection methodology, gas porosity defects were simulated through side-drilled holes in the in-gate section of selected sample castings. Castings with actual porosity defects were also used in this research. One of the conclusions of this research was that it was extremely difficult to detect defects in castings with surface roughness above 125 [micro milli]. Once the ultrasonic signal data was obtained from the sample aluminium die castings with different surface roughness values ranging from 5 [micro milli] to 150 [micro milli] signal analysis was carried out. Signal feature extraction was achieved using Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Wavelet Transforms (WT) prior to passing the ultrasonic signals into a neural network for defect classification. MATLAB tools were used for neural network and signal pre-processing analysis. The results indicated that poor classification (less than 75%) was achieved with the WT, PCA and combination of FFT/PCA and WT/PCA pre-processing techniques for rough surface signals. However, the classification of the signals pre-processed with the combination of WT/FFT, FFT/WT and FFT/WT/PCA classifiers provided much better classification of more than 90% for smooth surface signals and 78% to 84% for rough surface signals. The results obtained from ultrasonic testing of castings with both real and simulated defects were validated with X-ray analysis of the sample castings. The results obtained from this research encourage deeper investigation of the detection and characterisation of sub-surface defects in castings at the as-cast stage. Implications for the industrial application of these findings are discussed and directions for further research presented in this thesis.

Surface patterns of bead defects such as humping, gouged and rippling after solidification during laser and electron processing and different welding processes are systematically and quantitatively studied in this project. These defects usually accompanying with porosity, undercut, segregation, stress concentration, etc. seriously reduce the properties and strength of the surface heat treatment and weld joint. In order to improve quality, assure mass production and repeatability and reduce costs, it is necessary to understand their mechanisms. Although the defects have been extensively studied in the past, systematical, penetrative and quantitative understanding of their formation from thermal, physics, and pattern selection viewpoints are limited.The study include thermocapillary force, evaporation, and phase changes between solid-liquid and liquid-gas phases by introducing energy equation and interfacial and kinematic boundary conditions to simulate realistic processes.

This project is to explore the manufacturing and processing of laser or electron beam, formed on the surface morphology after curing and processing parts, such as surfacefilled, depression, or the formation of ripples; These reactions will directly affect the surface heat treatment and welding quality of thefinished product This study to consider the mass, momentum and energy equations, the introduction of theinterface and boundary conditions to simulate the real process In order to promote quality stability, and a large amount of production capacity and reduce costs, we must understand the institutions of the reaction In this thesis, the phase field method (Phase-field method) (Two-phase flow) two-phase flow simulation of metal surface by a concentrated source of heat melt the transient heat flow behavior

Oxide thin films and bimetallic model catalysts have been studied using metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), low energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEISS), X – ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions. Of particular interest in this investigation was the characterization of the surface morphology and electronic/geometric structure of the following catalysts: SiO2/Mo(112), Ag/SiO2/Mo(112), Au–Pd/Mo(110), Au–Pd/SiO2/Mo(110), and Pd– Sn/Rh(100). Specifically, different types of oxide surface defects were directly identified by MIES. The interaction of metal clusters (Ag) with defects was examined by work function measurements. On various Pd related bimetallic alloy surfaces, CO chemisorption behavior was addressed by IRAS and TPD. Observed changes in the surface chemical properties during the CO adsorption-desorption processes were explained in terms of ensemble and ligand effects. The prospects of translating this molecular-level information into fundamental understanding of ‘real world’ catalysts are discussed.